Utility company giving credits and saving energy.

Phantom · 08-04-11, 12:12 PM

I just purchased a house and created an online account with my utility company when looking I found a service called "Demand Conservation". It looks like a few other utility companies have this but call it some thing different like Peak Save. What it is, is a switch that they can remotely turn off to temporarily cut power to the AC it does this only for a few minutes during peak times in June, July, August and September we get a $5 credit for each of the months and save a bit of electricity.

Details are at LG&E and KU - Energy Efficiency - How does Demand Conservation work? below I have pasted the info from that page.
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How does Demand Conservation work?
A small device is connected to your central air conditioner or heat pump. This device allows us to safely cycle central air conditioners off and on for brief periods during peak usage days during the summer — but only when absolutely necessary to conserve energy during heavy demand.

Electric water heaters qualify for additional credit. (Water heaters qualify only after you sign up for the switch.)

When cycling is necessary, air conditioners or heat pumps will cycle off for a few minutes each half hour on summer weekdays between late afternoon and early evening. Water heater cycling occurs on a different schedule. Ask your installer for details.

Typically, cycling occurs no more than 20 days a year - but never on weekends or holidays.

The best part is most people are not even aware when their air conditioner is being cycled.
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Has anyone signed up for a feature like this? If so what are your thoughts and experiences with it.

Check and see if your utility company offers some thing like this I might be worth it.

Daox · 08-04-11, 12:16 PM

I'd probably do that... if I had A/C, haha. Like it says, you'd probably never even notice.

Piwoslaw · 08-04-11, 02:29 PM

Our national grid operator has something similar, but so far it is only for large customers, like factories, etc. (They are also the first to get their natural gas cut each time the Kremlin decides to harass Belarus and/or Ukraine.)
I read that within the next 10 years all electric meters here will be replaced with "intelligent" units, which allow real-time tariff changes and remotely turning off certain appliances. So I'm interested in your experiences, keep us updated

Phantom · 08-05-11, 12:35 PM

I placed the work order yesterday and was quoted a 30-45 day window for instillation all at a cost of $0, I will let every one know if I have any issues with it.

I know Duke Energy (provider at my old house) is planing on installing the intelligent meters in the upcoming years but have no idea if LGE has plans to do so.

Ryland · 08-05-11, 11:21 PM

We can get that peek use cut off switch here as well, I've asked about getting it for electric vehicle charging and was told that I would have to have an electric hot water heater or a/c for them to install it but that they would not prevent me from hooking anything else I wanted to up to that switch.

gasstingy · 08-10-11, 07:28 AM

I was on a similar program when I lived outside Valdosta, GA. The only way I could tell I was on the program was when my rebate was applied to my December utility bill.

I couldn't tell it at all from the HWH or the AC.

08-04-11, 12:12 PM	#1
Phantom Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 101 Thanks: 13 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Utility company giving credits and saving energy. I just purchased a house and created an online account with my utility company when looking I found a service called "Demand Conservation". It looks like a few other utility companies have this but call it some thing different like Peak Save. What it is, is a switch that they can remotely turn off to temporarily cut power to the AC it does this only for a few minutes during peak times in June, July, August and September we get a $5 credit for each of the months and save a bit of electricity. Details are at LG&E and KU - Energy Efficiency - How does Demand Conservation work? below I have pasted the info from that page. ------------- How does Demand Conservation work? A small device is connected to your central air conditioner or heat pump. This device allows us to safely cycle central air conditioners off and on for brief periods during peak usage days during the summer — but only when absolutely necessary to conserve energy during heavy demand. Electric water heaters qualify for additional credit. (Water heaters qualify only after you sign up for the switch.) When cycling is necessary, air conditioners or heat pumps will cycle off for a few minutes each half hour on summer weekdays between late afternoon and early evening. Water heater cycling occurs on a different schedule. Ask your installer for details. Typically, cycling occurs no more than 20 days a year - but never on weekends or holidays. The best part is most people are not even aware when their air conditioner is being cycled. -------------- Has anyone signed up for a feature like this? If so what are your thoughts and experiences with it. Check and see if your utility company offers some thing like this I might be worth it.

08-04-11, 12:16 PM	#2
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	I'd probably do that... if I had A/C, haha. Like it says, you'd probably never even notice. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-04-11, 02:29 PM	#3
Piwoslaw Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 961 Thanks: 188 Thanked 110 Times in 86 Posts	Our national grid operator has something similar, but so far it is only for large customers, like factories, etc. (They are also the first to get their natural gas cut each time the Kremlin decides to harass Belarus and/or Ukraine.) I read that within the next 10 years all electric meters here will be replaced with "intelligent" units, which allow real-time tariff changes and remotely turning off certain appliances. So I'm interested in your experiences, keep us updated __________________ Ecorenovation - the bottomless piggy bank that tries to tame the energy hog.

08-05-11, 12:35 PM	#4
Phantom Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 101 Thanks: 13 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	I placed the work order yesterday and was quoted a 30-45 day window for instillation all at a cost of $0, I will let every one know if I have any issues with it. I know Duke Energy (provider at my old house) is planing on installing the intelligent meters in the upcoming years but have no idea if LGE has plans to do so.

08-05-11, 11:21 PM	#5
Ryland Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Western Wisconsin. Posts: 913 Thanks: 127 Thanked 82 Times in 71 Posts	We can get that peek use cut off switch here as well, I've asked about getting it for electric vehicle charging and was told that I would have to have an electric hot water heater or a/c for them to install it but that they would not prevent me from hooking anything else I wanted to up to that switch.

08-10-11, 07:28 AM	#6
gasstingy Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arab, AL Posts: 491 Thanks: 109 Thanked 49 Times in 43 Posts	I was on a similar program when I lived outside Valdosta, GA. The only way I could tell I was on the program was when my rebate was applied to my December utility bill. I couldn't tell it at all from the HWH or the AC.